Climate refugees and illegal fishing all part of the plan for the major parties in German election

By EJF Staff

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All major parties in the upcoming German elections have told the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) that they support protection for climate refugees and acknowledge that Germany has a vital role to play in ending illegal fishing.

German elections take place on 24 September 2017. Environmental issues have so far played a minor role in Germany’s electoral campaign. But EJF believes it is vital to understand how the parties would face these two upcoming challenges: the fight against illegal fishing and slavery in the seafood supply chain, and rights of climate refugees.

These are global issues and therefore how they are handled not only affects Germany, but people around the world.

Free Democratic Party (FDP) – led by Christian Lindner in hopes of re-entering parliament

Illegal fishing and human rights

Germany is the sixth largest importer of seafood products in the world, yet EJF investigations discovered that it does not fully comply with its obligations on import controls under EU law. By failing to tackle the problem of illegal seafood potentially entering the German market, the government is also failing to address problems of slavery and human rights abuses around the world.

Climate change and the protection of climate refugees

EJF believes that climate change is a human rights issue. As the effects of climate change continue many people are being forced to flee their homes due to drought or extreme weather events. Most of the time those who are impacted by climate change had the least part to play in the cause.

All parties accepted that there is a link between climate change and forced migration. We asked them if and how they would protect climate refugees.The parties we contacted all provided us with clear opinions and proposals regarding the fight against illegal fishing and the protection of climate refugees.

Each party recognised that climate change and migration are linked and set out their proposed solutions for tackling this urgent topic. This is positive, but EJF suggests going further. We call for a UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change, and for legal protection for climate refugees.

EJF will continue to follow the parties’ parliamentary work and we will hold them to account based on their policy proposals.

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